Captain and goalkeeper Ronwen Williams was the hero again as South Africa beat the Democratic Republic of Congo 6-5 on penalties in the Africa Cup of Nations third-place play-off on Saturday.
After a 0-0 draw following 90 minutes in Abidjan, Williams
saved spot kicks from Chancel Mbemba and Meschack Elia to give Bafana Bafana
the bronze medal in the Ivory Coast.
Before Elia had his kick saved, Siyanda Xulu converted to
give South Africa the decisive lead in the shootout.
Williams saved four shootout kicks last weekend to help
South Africa get past Cape Verde after a goalless quarter-final.
DR Congo will regret many missed chances during regular time
in a lively match. South Africa maintained a perfect record in third-place
play-offs having beaten Tunisia on penalties 24 years ago.
South Africa made three changes to the team beaten in a
penalty shootout by Nigeria after an incident-packed semi-final three days ago.
Nkosinathi Sibisi, Thapelo Morena and Mihlali Mayambela came
in for suspended Grant Kekana and injured duo Mothobi Mvala and Percy Tau.
DR Congo retained only two of the side that lost to hosts
Ivory Coast in the other semi-final — captain and centre-back Mbemba and
midfielder Samuel Moutoussamy.
But eight of the nine who were dropped sat on the bench,
leaving French coach Sebastien Desabre with multiple options should he wish to
make changes.
Threatening
Although the Congolese had less of the ball in the opening
half at Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny in the Ivorian economic capital, they were
the more threatening team in the attacking third.
Physically imposing Silas Mvumpa came close to breaking the
deadlock after just eight minutes, but as he tried to round Williams in the
area, the goalkeeper snatched the ball.
Simon Banza worked his way into a dangerous position close
to the South African goal midway through the half, only to deliver a weak shot
that posed no danger.
Despite some neat build-up play, it took South Africa 43
minutes to get a shot on target, and the effort from Mayambela went straight to
goalkeeper Dimitry Bertaud.
When Williams fumbled the ball and lost possession, the ball
went across the goalmouth and Silas fired wide when he should at least have hit
the target.
So should Mbemba, who had ventured forward for a free-kick,
but he blazed over when the ball fell invitingly into his path close to goal.
Substitute Fiston Mayele also wasted a chance.
A captivating tournament concludes on Sunday in another
Abidjan stadium with the Ivory Coast facing Nigeria in the final with a seven
million dollar prize on the line.
The countries met at the group stage last month in the same
venue and the Super Eagles won 1-0 thanks to a William Troost-Ekong penalty.
AFP